The fact he made more appearances for our U23s in two years than he made for Lyon's in four is particularly embarrassing for him
Marcus Edwards is joining Sporting for €7.5m. We've got a 50% sell-on clause, but it's being claimed that they're only signing the other half. Essentially, the clause will remain, if true.
I have to believe he is now driven by the love of the game and his own belief that his body has not yet given up the footballer ghost (I cannot see any "pension mode" ROI for him etc) .
Sunderland fan in peace. That's how we all feel about JD. Warmed to him instantly then he cemented his status with his bond with little Bradley Lowrey. Absolutely fantastic man that has been welcomed back with open arms. If he drank, he'd never have to put his hand in his pocket in a Sunderland bar ever again. Legend.
He'd have the same service in north London even though a pint is twice the price! And pretty much everywhere he went tbh. Consummate professional, excellent player, played with a smile on his face, was always so polite and patient with fans, never once complained about usually being on the bench and what he did for young Bradley was just another level. He is a much needed example that at least a small percentage of elite footballers are not complete twats.
Really good move for him this. Sporting won the league last season and are challenging for it again this time around. 9 points off Porto but with a game in hand. Sounds like a weird deal though. We had a 50% sell on clause with Vitoria but they’ve only sold 50% of his rights, so apparently we get 25% of what they sold him for but retain 25% rights for if/ when he leaves Sporting. And if we assume he continues his career progression with Sporting, then a move to a big five European league is almost inevitable within a couple years (Dortmund and Leicester had previously been linked with him) and therefore that 25% could be quite hefty. We could do a lot worse than trying to bring him back at some point too. Was always a huge talent and he’s done really well in Portugal.
It was said about three months ago that we were in negotiations with Guimaraes in order to facilitate his move to Sporting, what with the Portuguese league's razor thin margins being microscopic these days
Makes sense too because a sell on clause from Vitoria to Sporting won’t be massive but a sell on clause from Sporting to a big European league club pockets us a decent windfall. Alternatively we essentially get circa 25% off any fee should we try bringing him back.
There's a couple of interesting things about this First is that, according to A Bola, Sporting approached us last summer asking if we could negotiate on the sell-on clause, and we agreed back then. The second is how, when Edwards signed a contract extension last year, it had a €50m release clause - so for him to join Sporting for €7.5m is...well, aren't we supposed to be accusing Sporting's management of putting profits before glory or something?
Whole heartedly agree. When he left last time he said he would be back. We've been averaging crowds of around 30k this season, JD coming back could easily add 5 or 6 k more.
I’ve just read that JD will give £1 to the Bradley Lowery Foundation for every ticket sold for Saturday’s game v Doncaster. Total Legend.
